ll Universally Accepted Varuthini Ekadashi ll

The word ‘Baruth’ means armor or shield (sānju or kabacha). She who protects beings from all crises like armor is ‘Varuthini’. Thus, the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of Vaishakha month is named ‘Varuthini Ekadashi’. This means this Ekadashi rescues beings from all dangers. Its significance is heightened because it falls in the meritorious (punya) month of Vaishakha. Generally, to earn merit, people donate according to their capacity. As a result, one attains a place in Swargaloka (heaven).

However, according to Puranic descriptions, observing Varuthini Ekadashi yields more merit than all these charities. To observe this Vrata (vow/fast), one must fast starting from Dashami (the 10th day). Until the night of Ekadashi, one must abstain from food, sleep, sexual intercourse, along with various intoxicants and luxuries. By worshipping Madhusudana (a name for Vishnu) with devotion, a person is freed from all crises and attains Swargaloka like Mandhata and Dhundhumara.

It is said that the great charitable King Mandhata once renounced his kingdom and was performing penance (tapasya) in a forest on the banks of the Narmada. During this time, a bear came and started biting and wounding his foot. As Mandhata was engrossed in penance, he did not resist it. But as the pain increased, he remembered Bhagavan (God). Vishnu appeared; but by then, Mandhata’s foot was completely destroyed. Seeing him saddened, Lord Vishnu consoled him, saying, “This is the result of some sinful act (pāpakārya) from your previous birth. Do not be distressed by this. Now, go to Mathura and observe the Varuthini Ekadashi Vrata. Your foot will be healed, and you will attain the fruit of your penance.”

In some Puranas, another mention is found that Deva Deva Mahadeva (Lord Shiva), having incurred sin by angrily cutting off one of Brahma’s heads, was freed from that sin as a result of observing the Varuthini Ekadashi Vrata.

ll Ekadashi Mahatmya (Glory of Ekadashi) ll

ll Yudhishthira Uvacha (Yudhishthira Said) ll

King Yudhishthira says: Listen, O Lord Damodara (Krishna)!
The Ekadashi of Vaishakha Krushna Paksha, by what name is it known?
Please reveal its glory, O Krishna, accept my plea.

ll Shrikrishna Uvacha (Shrikrishna Said) ll

Krishna says: O Son of Pandu (Yudhishthira), listen, I shall speak for the welfare of the people.
The Ekadashi of Vaishakha Krushna Paksha is called Varuthini.
It bestows good fortune (saubhāgya) and constant happiness (saukhya) in both worlds.
This Varuthini grants good fortune and destroys sin (pāpahāni).
Even an unfortunate person who observes this Vrata attains the desired fortune.
For all people, it provides devotion (bhakti) and liberation (mukti).
It destroys all sins (pātaka) and prevents rebirth (lit. cuts off womb-dwelling – garbhavāsa).
By performing this Varuthini Vrata, Mandhata went to Swarga Puri (heaven).
Also Dhundhumara and others; how many kings can I name?
By performing this Vrata, Daksha (referring to Shiva) was freed from the sin associated with Brahma’s skull (Bhruru Kapāḷu helā mokṣa).
The merit a person gains by performing penance for ten thousand years (dasa sahasra saṁvatsara),
Is equal to the merit gained by observing this Varuthini Vrata.
Observing Varuthini with faith (śraddhā) fulfills desires (bāñchhā) in both worlds.
O Maharaja, Varuthini destroys great sins (mahāpātaka bināśinī).
It grants both devotion and liberation; it purifies sinners.
Know, O King, that donating an elephant (gaja dāna) is superior to donating a horse (aśva dāna).
Donating gold (swarṇa dāna) is superior to donating sesame (tiḷa dāna). Donating food (anna dāna) is superior to donating gold.
Donating a daughter (Kanyā Dāna) is not ordinary; she is the reason for the family’s continuity (kula sthitira kāraṇa).
Cow donation (dhenu dāna) is comparable to that, through which sacrifices (yajña) are accomplished.
Superior to all these mentioned donations is the donation of knowledge (vidyā dāna).
Through which a being attains self-knowledge (ātmā jñāna), thereby achieving life’s purpose (kṛtārtha).
The merit (phala) a person earns by performing all these donations,
That same merit is constantly given by the Varuthini Vrata.
One who makes a living by selling his daughter (kanyā bikri vṛtti) falls into dreadful hell (ghora naraka).
Know that taking wealth for a daughter is unacceptable (agrāhya); consider Kanya Dana as meritorious.
One who adorns his daughter with ornaments and gives her to a suitable Brahmin groom (bipra pātra),
Even Chitragupta cannot fully describe his merit.
Know, O King, that the merit equal to Kanya Dana is obtained
By one who observes the Varuthini Vrata, well-known in the month of Vaishakha.
Meat (māṁsa), honey (madhura/madhu), Madhushaka (a specific leafy green?), Palānna (rich food, possibly containing meat?), Kodrava grain (Kodo millet), Chanaka (chickpeas),
Eating a full meal (pūrṇa bhojana), eating from bronze vessels (kāṁsyapātra), sexual intercourse (strī sanga), and other impurities (apabitra) –
These ten things a Vaishnava carefully avoids on Dashami (the 10th day) for the Vrata.
Slander/backbiting (paiśuna), showing disrespect (apamāna), causing commotion/loud arguments (tumula), brushing teeth (danta dhābana),
Playing/sports (krīḍā), sleep (nidrā), gambling (dyūta), violence (hiṁsā), theft (steya), lust etc. (kāmādi), lying (mithyābhāṣā) –
These eleven are not proper conduct (āchāra) for the Vrata on Ekadashi.
Eating again (puṇya bhojana – before Parana?), sexual intercourse (maithuna), eating ground/flour-based food (piṣṭa), watching entertainment (prekṣati?), consuming lentils (masūrmann) –
Avoid these on Dwadashi (the 12th day) if you desire the full fruit of the Vrata.
Perform Varuthini according to the rules (bidhi), staying awake (ujāgara) through the night.
The devotee (vratī) who keeps vigil (jāgara), worshipping the form of Madhusudana (Destroyer of Madhu),
Becomes free from all sins and attains the supreme state (paramagati).
Therefore, observe Varuthini carefully to gain merit.
If one fears Yama (God of Death), one should observe this Varuthini.
Whether one performs this Vrata or not, whoever listens to or reads this account (charita),
Gains the merit of donating a thousand cows (go sahasra phala), becomes free from all sins.
Such is the power (prabhāba) of the Vrata; they reside securely in Vishnu Loka (Vishnu’s abode).

Iti Shri Bhavishyottara Vaisakha Krushna Varuthini Nāmaikādaśī Māhātmye Ekādaśo’dhyāya |||

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